Nick Reiner indicted for murders of parents Rob and Michele Reiner

Nick Reiner indicted for murders of parents Rob and Michele Reiner

A Los Angeles County grand jury has indicted Nick Reiner for the stabbing deaths of his parents, acclaimed Hollywood director Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner. The indictment, which was returned on July 20 and unsealed Wednesday, Aug. 12, adds a special circumstance allegation that the 32-year-old committed the murders by means of lying in wait.

Nick Reiner pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to two counts of murder. He also faces a special allegation that he personally used a knife, which authorities describe as a dangerous and deadly weapon. Because the case was handled via a secret grand jury, prosecutors can now skip California's preliminary hearing process, where evidence is typically aired publicly, speeding the case toward a jury trial.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman described the killings as a profound betrayal by someone who was loved and trusted by the very people he is accused of killing.

The victims were found dead in their Brentwood home on Dec. 14, 2025. Romy Reiner, the couple's daughter, discovered the bodies, according to multiple sources. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's preliminary findings stated the couple died from multiple sharp force injuries. Death certificates listed Rob Reiner's time of death at 3:45 p.m. And Michele Reiner's at 3:46 p.m. Local time.

The events leading up to the attack included a brief but loud argument between Rob and Nick Reiner at a holiday party hosted by Conan O'Brien the night before the killings. Sources told ABC News that Nick, who lived on the property at the time, was seen acting strangely during that event. On the day they were killed, the couple had plans to meet with former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, according to the former first lady.

Rob Reiner, 78, was a luminary of film and television, known for his Emmy-winning role as Michael "Meathead" Stivic on All in the Family and for directing classics such as The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally…, A Few Good Men, Stand by Me, and This is Spinal Tap. Michele Reiner, 70, was a successful photographer and producer who captured the cover photo of Donald Trump's book The Art of the Deal.

The relationship between the parents and their son was complicated by Nick Reiner's long-term struggles with mental health and drug addiction, which began in his teens. He previously spoke in 2016 about cycles of treatment, relapses, and homelessness. These struggles partly inspired the script for the 2015 film Being Charlie, which Nick co-wrote with his father.

The tragedy has left the surviving children, Jake and Romy Reiner, in mourning. Jake Reiner, 35, described the loss in an April Substack essay as a living nightmare and wrote that his parents were the last people in the world to deserve what happened to them.

Legal complications have emerged regarding Nick Reiner's defense. He was initially represented by high-profile attorney Alan Jackson, but Jackson withdrew in January due to circumstances beyond his control after the defendant's siblings stopped funding the defense. Reiner is currently represented by L.A. Deputy Public Defender Kimberly Greene.

In June, Reiner filed a petition for access to a trust fund established by his parents, alleging trustees denied him money he was entitled to receive upon turning 30. The filing claims the trust has at least $1.5 million in assets. Reiner stated he is unable to pay for basic necessities while incarcerated or for legal counsel. Alan Jackson indicated in a declaration that his firm is ready to resume representation if these funds become available.

If convicted, Nick Reiner faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole or the death penalty. The District Attorney's Office has not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty. Reiner remains in custody without bail.

He is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing regarding his trust fund later this month, with a pretrial hearing for the murder case set for Sept. 15.